Crispy, Creamy, Spicy & Totally Addictive
If you’re a fan of crispy chicken meets creamy-spicy sauce, then these Bang Bang Chicken Bites are about to become your new obsession. Bite-sized pieces of tender chicken are seasoned, lightly breaded, and pan-fried or air-fried to perfection — then tossed (or drizzled) with the famous bang bang sauce: a tangy-sweet combo of mayo, sriracha, and honey or sweet chili sauce.
I love this recipe because it’s easy to whip up, hits every craving (crispy, creamy, spicy, sweet), and works great as a party app, game day snack, or dinner option with rice or lettuce wraps.
Questions I Often Get Asked About This Recipe
Q: What is Bang Bang Sauce made of?
Traditionally, it’s a mix of mayonnaise, sriracha or hot sauce, and a sweet element like honey or sweet chili sauce. You can tweak it to your spice level.
Q: Can I air fry or bake the chicken?
Absolutely! You can pan-fry for max crisp, air fry at 400°F for 10–12 minutes, or bake at 425°F for 15–20 minutes, flipping halfway.
Q: Is it very spicy?
It has a kick, but you can make it milder by reducing the sriracha or using sweet chili sauce only.
Q: Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes! Boneless, skinless thighs work great and stay super juicy.
Q: Can I prep this ahead of time?
You can make the sauce ahead and coat the chicken just before serving so it stays crispy.
What You Need to Make Bang Bang Chicken Bites
For the Chicken:
- 1½ lbs boneless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- ½ cup buttermilk (or milk + splash of lemon juice)
- 1 cup cornstarch or all-purpose flour (or a mix)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- Oil for pan-frying or spray for air-frying
For the Bang Bang Sauce:
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 1–2 teaspoons sriracha (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
- Optional: 1 teaspoon lime juice or rice vinegar for tang
How to Make Bang Bang Chicken Bites
Step 1: Marinate & Coat
- Toss chicken with buttermilk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Let marinate for at least 20 minutes (or up to a few hours).
- Dredge each piece in cornstarch/flour to coat thoroughly.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken
To Pan-Fry:
3. Heat ½ inch of oil in a skillet over medium-high.
4. Fry chicken in batches until golden and crispy, about 3–4 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.
To Air Fry:
5. Place coated chicken in a preheated air fryer at 400°F for 10–12 minutes, spraying lightly with oil. Flip halfway.
Step 3: Make the Sauce
- In a small bowl, mix together mayo, chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and optional lime juice. Taste and adjust spice/sweetness.
Step 4: Toss & Serve
- Toss chicken bites in sauce or drizzle over the top for that bang bang finish.
- Garnish with green onions, sesame seeds, or cilantro. Serve with rice, lettuce cups, or as a party app!
Tips for the Best Bang Bang Chicken
✔ Use cornstarch for extra crispiness—especially if air frying.
✔ Serve sauce on the side for dipping if you want to preserve max crisp.
✔ Double the sauce if you’re serving with rice or noodles.
✔ Keep the chicken warm in a low oven while finishing batches.
✔ Add fresh lime juice or zest for a zippy flavor upgrade.
Reader Reviews
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Emma L. – “Crispy, creamy, spicy perfection! We served it with lettuce wraps and the kids devoured it.”
🌟🌟🌟🌟 James K. – “Did these in the air fryer and they came out great. Sauce was 🔥🔥.”
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Samantha W. – “Made them for game day and they were gone in 10 minutes. So addictive!”
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Lucas R. – “That bang bang sauce is next level. Added extra sriracha and served over jasmine rice.”
🌟🌟🌟🌟 Jessica T. – “A fun takeout-style meal at home. Definitely going into the weekly rotation!”
Printable Recipe
Bang Bang Chicken Bites
These crispy Bang Bang Chicken Bites are tossed in a creamy-spicy-sweet sauce made with mayo, sriracha, and sweet chili. Perfect for dinner, apps, or party bites!
Ingredients
- For the Chicken:
- 1½ lbs boneless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- ½ cup buttermilk (or milk + splash of lemon juice)
- 1 cup cornstarch or all-purpose flour (or a mix)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- Oil for pan-frying or spray for air-frying
- For the Bang Bang Sauce:
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 1–2 teaspoons sriracha (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
- Optional: 1 teaspoon lime juice or rice vinegar for tang
Instructions
Step 1: Marinate & Coat
- Toss chicken with buttermilk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Let marinate for at least 20 minutes (or up to a few hours).
- Dredge each piece in cornstarch/flour to coat thoroughly.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken
To Pan-Fry:
Heat ½ inch of oil in a skillet over medium-high.4. Fry chicken in batches until golden and crispy, about 3–4 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.
To Air Fry:
Place coated chicken in a preheated air fryer at 400°F for 10–12 minutes, spraying lightly with oil. Flip halfway.
Step 3: Make the Sauce
- In a small bowl, mix together mayo, chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and optional lime juice. Taste and adjust spice/sweetness.
Step 4: Toss & Serve
- Toss chicken bites in sauce or drizzle over the top for that bang bang finish.
- Garnish with green onions, sesame seeds, or cilantro. Serve with rice, lettuce cups, or as a party app!
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If You Enjoyed This Recipe, Please Share!
If these Bang Bang Chicken Bites hit the spot, be sure to pin, post, or share them with your fellow flavor lovers. They’re fun to make, even more fun to eat, and guaranteed to impress. Tag your saucy creations with #funcraftykitchen so I can cheer you on!
